Knockout open-ended geography is a word game for any number of players
invented by David Silverman.   The first player names anyone of the 50 states.

The next player must name a different state that either ends with the initial
letter of the preceding state or begins with the last letter of the preceding state.

For instance, if the first player names Nevada, the next player can either affix
Alaska or prefix Wisconsin.   In other words, the chain of states remains open
at both ends.

When a player is unable to add to the chain, he is eliminated and the next
player starts a new chain with a new state.

No state can be named more than once in the same game.

The game continues until only one player -- the winner -- remains.




David Silverman asks: If you are first to name a state in a three-player game,
what state can you name that will guarantee your winning?   (We assume that all
players play rationally and without collusion to trap the first player.)



ANSWER

A simple win is achieved by naming Tennessee.   The second player can only prefix
Connecticut or Vermont.   Since no state begins with E or ends with c or v the third
player is eliminated.   It is now your turn to start again You can win with Maine or
Kentucky. Maine eliminates the second player immediately.   Kentucky is also a
quick winner. It forces the second player to name New York.   You then win
by prefixing Michigan, Washington, or Wisconsin.